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Business Standard, 15th Feb 18' A# B/ N) L) Z3 r% w% \
, T2 F6 [, ?" \* WIn what would be a huge capability jump, the Indian Air Force (IAF) is increasingly interested in procuring the American F-35 Lightning II for its depleting fighter fleet.2 f1 A/ J$ g) q: c' _ U! v J
! u$ H4 C& `- U" ^1 G2 SBusiness Standard learns the IAF top brass is formally requesting for a classified briefing by the F-35’s prime builder, Lockheed Martin, on the capabilities of the sophisticated, fifth-generation fighter developed under the US Joint Strike Fighter programme.2 Q% T, A& k; r/ V
; [5 ?4 E2 z4 U0 M3 s1 m, VThe US government has not formally offered the F-35 to India. A classified briefing would require formal clearance from the US Department of Defence (the Pentagon) and the State Department. The grant of such a clearance would be an important first step towards permitting the sale of F-35s to India.: d3 c5 t3 J* r0 L. d2 c' I2 v
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It is learnt the IAF wants to procure 126 of the variant called F-35A
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The F-35’s affordability is also attractive for New Delhi. In contrast to the bare-bones price of $115 million for each Rafale fighter (with India-specific enhancements, spares, logistics and weapons all extra), the F-35A cost customers $94.6 million last February. Lockheed Martin says it will reduce the cost to $80 million by 2020." j) f1 V6 P6 V
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) }9 o1 t H# nSources close to the Pentagon say India would not be sold the F-35 as long as it is partnering Russia in the FGFA co-development project. That is because Washington would guard against the leakage of F-35 technology into the FGFA.
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: d" E# W& J1 T( x7 G" TSenior officers say the IAF is not enthused about the FGFA project. They point out the F-35 is further advanced in development and has already entered service with the USAF and six-seven air forces of American allies.) k! H3 p6 h. j& S' }/ w: b
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雷达卡
发表于 2018-2-19 14:43:05
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